Evaporator drip pan for radiators



July 14, 1931. WEISS EVAPORATOR DRIP PAN FOR RADI ATORS Filed May 31, 1930 A TTORNEY Patented July 14, 1931 PATENT OFFICE IRVING WEISS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

EVAPOBATOR DRIP IPAN FOR RADIATORS i 7 vApplication filed May 31,

This invention, relates to humidifiers and drip pans for radiators and the like.

One objectof the invention is to produce an improved radiator drip pan.

' Another object is to provide a humidifier for a radiator having improved relation therewith. 1 7 Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved combined evaporator drip pan for radiators and the equivalent to the end that drippings collected in such pan may be evaporated to prevent overflow, and the drip pan be available for use as a humidifier, if desired. Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of the character described having improved means for collecting all the dripping; from the radiator, valve, and valve connections, in a simplified compact, inexpensive construction, which is reliable and eflicient in use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as thespecification proceeds.

With the aforesaid objects in view, the invention consists in the novel combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described in their preferred embodiments, pointed out in the subj oined claims, and illustrated on the annexed drawing, wherein like parts are designated by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation showan embodiment of the invention 'anda typical application thereof to a radiator, a portion of which is shown.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the evaporator drip pan.

Fig. 3 is a view in vertical section taken on the broken line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig.1.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of a modified connection detail. I V

The advantages of the invention as here outlined arebest realized when all of its fea- :tures and instrumentalities are combined in one and thesame structure, but, useful de- 1930. Serial No. 457,939.

vices may be produced embodying less than the whole.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains, that the same maybe incorporated in several different construct-ions. The accompanying drawings, therefore, is submitted merely as showing the preferred exemplification of the invention.

Generally described, this invention provides an improved ventilator drip pan for radiators which may be conveniently disposed beneath a radiator or similar object and is preferably so constructed as to coact with the valve or pipe connection so as to collect any drippings which may occur at any point in the path of travel of the liquid and thus to prevent the drippings from accumulating upon the floor to damage of the building or the furnishings therein. Accordingly the structure provided includes a comparatively large shallow pan adapted to be disposed underneath the radiator and' having a section to underlie the valve connection so as to collect any dripping that may occurfrom the valve bonnet or other parts of the connection. The section referred to constitutesa separate or removable extension of the main drip pan which together with the latter is adapted to surround the pipe leading to the valve. An improvedarrangement is afforded whereby such connection between the main drip pan and the extension may be readily effected in such a manner that the invention may be completely constructed in the factory and then readily applied with a minimum of tools and by any one who may be devoid of mechanical skill. Various types of connections may be readily devised toefiect this purpose, but it may be generally noted that thearrangement is such as to prevent any dripping or leakage from passing between the walls of the main drip pan and the extension and furthermore, to permit dripping collected in the extension to eventually flow into the main drip pan and thus to avoid an overflow from the extension.

An essential feature of the invention is that v the drip pan is so disposed in proximity to the radiator as tobe read y a ec e y the heat thereof to evaporate the dripping. Thus an overflow from the main drip pan is prevented so that it is unnecessary to constantly watch the device which by this invention becomes automatic, disposing of the dripping. It will be appreciated that practically the only time when dripping may occur is when the radiator is heated, and when the radiator is closed the valve is also closed and rests snugly against the valve seat so that even the valve casing is not subjected to any pressure. In the majority of instances such leakageas may occur is quite small so that the invention is fully adequate for its intended purpose. Should the leakage become excessive, it will ordinarily be accompanied by the sound of issuing steam which will in itself operate as a signal that a leak is occurring. Due to the relatively large and extended areaof the device, it is particularly efiicient to dispose of the collected dripping by evaporation. The invention is very aptly denominated an evaporator drip pan although it will be ap preciated that it may serve any of the men tioned functions independently of the others. The evaporator drip pan may thus also constitute a humidifier which is particularly advantageously employed beneath a radiator and in close proximity thereto, avoiding the objectionable features of humidifiers which are disposed above the radiator. This invention is thus positioned inconspicuously and is out of the way. Water may be supplied thereto easily to cause it to function as a humidifier and where necessary a guide or funnel shaped element may be employed to facilitate the feeding of water thereinto. By this invention, the device can always be conveniently removed for cleaning, inspection, or repair.

Referring in detail to the drawings, 10 denotes a device embodying the invention, a typical application thereof being shown in relation to a radiator 11, or the like. This radiator is supported in any suitable manner as, for example by means of the legs 12 resting upon a floor 13 and is connected to a steam pipe system 14 by any suitable valve while the side walls 18 have curved portions 21 so that measurements may be facilitated by the plumber in determinlng the size of the pan needed for a particular radiator.

- The said drip pan is supported in any suitable manner as, for instance, by legs or brackets 22. The legs 22 may be of any suitable construction and can be adjustable in length to vary the vertical relation of the evaporator drip pan with respect to the radiator. F or this purpose the legs 22 may consist of a pair of telescopic or relatively expansible portions 23, 24 which may be'secured in adjusted position by a thumb screw 25 passing through a slot 26.

The invention includes an extension evaporator drip pan section 27 which co-operates with an end of the main drip pan 16 so as to assure that any leakage from the valve 15 or bonnet thereof will be collected. Said extension 27 has a bottom wall '28, a'wall structure 29 co-operating with'the end wall 20 of the main drip pan, and an opposed wall 30. The wall structure 20 and .29 include curved portions 31, 32 which take around the pipe 14 underneaththe valveso as to provide what is in the nature of a split sleeve. To assure proper alinement,'the wall 20 may have formed therein verticallyrecessed porti0ns 33 at each side of the split sleeve opening 34, and the wall .29 having correspondingvertically disposed ridges or projections 35 to engage inthe'said recesses. To prevent any leakage from passing between the adjacent walls20 and 29,the former is 2 provided with a coping 36 which is'substantially of inverted U form so'as to take over the adjacent portions of the wall 29. In order to permit any dripping which -might be collected in the extension 27 to flow into the main drip pan 16, the portions of 'the wall 20 and 29 at the coping 36 aredown- 'wardly depressed-or recessed as shown at 37 so as to be lower than the rest of the wall structure of the device '10. The coping 36 not only affords protection against the loss of drippings, but also acts asa mechanical connection between the extension 27 and 'the main drip pan. To further aidin-such connection and to hold the walls 20 and'29 in :rel- 'atively snug contact and in parallel relation, any suitable releasable fasteningmeans 38 is provided adjacent to the bottom of the device, preferably at opposite ends of the engaging wall structures. Means 38 may in one embodiment of the invention include leaf springs 39 secured to the walls 18 in the main drip pan by rivets 40 or the like and having hook portions 41 to snap over pin or rivet heads 42 secured to the extension 27. In Fig. 5 is shown another .form of construction in which an inner wall 43 of the extension 27 is provided with a overlapping or coping port-ion 44 to take over the adjacent end wall 45 of the main drip 'pan16. Passing through the contacting walls 43, 45 are one or more hollow screws 46 which are-tightly engaged by washers 47 and nuts 48. When the overflow in the extension 27 reaches the level of the bore 49 in the hollow screw,"the

7 dripping collected will thereafter overflow through said bore into the main drip pan.

To facilitate the placing of water in the evaporator drip pan in the event that the latter is to be used as a humidifier, any suitable guide or funnel shaped device 50 may be provided which may be in the shape of a conical section and has a pair of spaced flanges 51, 52 slidably engaging therebetween a wall portion of the evaporator drip pan. Thus the funnel guide is removable from the humidifier and may be dispensed with, or it may be moved to any point therealong where convenient and relatively inconspicuous, and nevertheless permit the supply of water to be easily placed into the evaporator drip pan despite the fact that the same is beneath the radiator in relative proximity to the floor. To cause the pan to conserve the heat for eflicient evaporation, the pan may be positioned directly on the floor to prevent circulation of air therebeneath, or a layer of insulation 53 may be associated with the bottom 17 of the pan. I

It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications may be made in the device as shown in the drawings, and that the same is submitted in an illustrative and not in a limiting sense, the scope of the invention being defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with a radiator and a supply connection therefor, a main drip pan under the radiator, an extension drip pan section co-operating with the main drip pan to take around said connection and collect drippings therefrom, and means intercommunicating the main drip pan and the extension section to cause drippings collected in the latter to flow into the main drip pan.

2. In combination with a radiator, and a supply connection therefor, a main drip pan under the radiator, an extension drip pan section co-operating with the main drip pan to take around said connection and collect drippings therefrom, and means to cause the main drip pan and the extension section to have liquid tight engagement with each other.

3. In combination with a radiator and a supply connection therefor, a main drip pan under the radiator, an extension drip pan section co-operating with the main drip pan to take around said connection and collect drippings therefrom, said main drip pan and extension section having wall portions extending closely along each other, and coping means interengaging said walls.

In testimony whereof I afiix my si nature. IRVING W ISS. 

